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Friday, 13 October 2017

Georgie Donaghey on Clover’s BIG Ideas

Being the smallest in the paddock isn’t easy.
Clover is always being teased. When three naughty lambs go too far, Clover and
her big ideas step in. Discover how Clover shows being little makes her more
determined and clever than they could ever imagine.

This is the background to Clover's Big Ideas, Georgie Donaghey's latest picture book, illustrated byEmma Middleton and published by Little Pink Dogs. Here Georgie is interviewed by Di Bates of Buzz Words.

Please tell us about yourself.

I am a full-time working mother
with three gorgeous kids, all at various stages of their life. I began writing
from a young age, even winning an award in the Sunday Telegraph at the age of
eight, for a poem about the dentist.

Life took many turns over the
years and my writing was pushed aside while I explored other paths.

After the birth of my first
child, 19 years ago, I felt inspired to play with words again and began writing
for children. That’s where I have called home ever since. My little writing nook
is littered with story ideas, my computer bulging with WIP’s and even more
ideas.

My first steps in the world of
children’s publishing were with the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA)
where I served as President of the Sutherland Shire Sub-branch for three years.

It was during my time with the
CBCA, I discovered there were many emerging children's authors that needed a
voice. They needed somewhere they could share their work, network with others
and utilise tools and resources to assist them on their journey to publication.

In 2011, as a commitment to help
others and with the assistance of my husband, Creative Kids Tales was
born. Now an industry recognised site, CKT has become a valuable resource for
Australian emerging children’s authors.

In 2013, I stretched my creative
wings and The Author's Shelf hit the airwaves on 2SSR. After a
year of chatting with authors like Captain Underpants author; Dav
Pilkey, Jackie French, McLeod’s Daughters creator; Posie
Graeme-Evans, Andy Griffiths, Susanne Gervay, Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell and
other extraordinarily talented authors, I decided to put The Author’s Shelf ‘on
the shelf’ and focus on my writing. It paid off.

By 2014, my dreams of becoming a
published author became a reality; I signed my first contract. In 2015, my
first picture book was published with Dragon Tales Publishing. In 2016 I signed
my second contract with Little Pink Dog Books for Clover’s
BIG Ideas, illustrated by Emma Middleton. Lulu was also
re-released this year through Wombat Books. I’ve alsore-signed with Little Pink Dog Books to publish my next title,
In the Shadow of an Elephant due out in 2018.

How
did the idea for Clover’s BIG Ideas
come about? Clover’s BIG
Ideas
will speak to all who have endured teasing at some time in their life. I wanted
to share that it doesn’t matter how we look on the outside, it’s what’s on the
inside that counts. Clover showed through her passion, determination, courage
and of course her BIG ideas, that by standing up to those naughty little lambs
she is powerful.

Who
is your target audience for this book? This
book is suited for 3-7-year-olds. I find of the different age groups I share
this story with, each takes away something different. The younger kids want
Angus to crush the bullies and the older kids like the antics of the three
naughty sheep. No matter what the age, they can all relate to Clover. It’s great
to be able to share the subtle message of how the words we choose to use on a
daily basis can either hurt or heal.

The audiences
also love Emma’s illustrations. I am so happy with the added level Emma has
brought to this story. Her illustrations are simply divine and tell a story of
their own. The classic style will
definitely resonate with lovers of picture books past.

What
aspects did you find challenging about this book? This
book hit many firsts for me. The partnering with Emma Middleton, my first
publication with Little Pink Dog Books and the wonderful friendship I now have
with editor, Emma Cameron.

In my goody bag
from a NSW Writers’ Centre Kids and YA Festival a few years ago was a voucher.
It was for a kick start mentorship. I sent Clover off to be assessed and the
assessor, Emma Cameron loved it! She helped me develop the story and the rest
is history.

I loved the
whole process of bringing this story to publication. Although towards the end
it was both exciting and bittersweet as Emma M and I knew we were getting
closer to having our book baby published, but we also knew it would be the end
of our partnership for this project.

Peter and Kathy
Creamer were dream publishers to work with. They allowed Emma and I to just run
with our ideas and were very supportive of every step.

What
does Clover’s BIG Ideas offer the
reader that differs from others covering similar subjects?

Clover’s
BIG Ideas invites the reader into a world of gentle story-telling and
demonstrates that looks are not always what they seem. Clover’s BIG Ideas
celebrates friendship and instils the importance of understanding and
acceptance.